Ben Lippen School

Ben Lippen senior Isabel Essig (Class of 2026) is officially a published author and illustrator! Combining her passion for art and storytelling, Isabel completed her senior capstone project by writing and illustrating her own children’s book, The Girl Who Danced, inspired by her younger sister.

Written to encourage creativity in young children and reflect the beauty of a creative God, Isabel’s project became an opportunity to connect with others through art. After receiving the first copy of her book, she read it to a few of Ben Lippen’s K3 and K4 students, and taught them how to start their own illustrations.

“Being able to share [my book] with others and see their little faces light up in excitement made my work so much more real,” she said. “My art no longer belonged to me alone, but to anyone who opened the pages.”

Isabel plans to continue pursuing her passion for art and illustration at the University of South Carolina Honors College this fall, where she will study studio art and graphic design.

Support Isabel’s project by purchasing your copy of The Girl Who Danced from Amazon!

Learn more about the making of The Girl Who Danced here:
https://benlippen.pulse.ly/l7gahojxzm

After 13 years of faithful service at Ben Lippen, we celebrate Mr. Chris Essig as he steps into a new season of ministry on the mission field in Panama. Loved deeply by students, families, and faculty, his impact will continue far beyond the classroom. We are grateful for his leadership, his heart for Christ, and the lives he has shaped through music. Please join us in praying for the Essig family as they begin this next chapter in God’s calling.

Read more about Mr. Essig's time at Ben Lippen:
https://www.benlippen.com/about/news/posts-landing-page/~board/news/post/chris-essig

After more than 20 years of faithful service, we celebrate the retirement of beloved Ben Lippen educator, Mrs. Kim Cox. As an English teacher, Humanities Lead Teacher, and Yearbook Advisor, Mrs. Cox has shaped generations of students through her love of language and Christ-centered teaching.

Her impact extends far beyond the classroom—through meaningful relationships, thoughtful leadership, and a deep investment in every student she taught. While she will be greatly missed, her legacy lives on in the community she helped shape.

Thank you, Mrs. Cox, for your years of faithful service, your wisdom, and the joy you brought to Ben Lippen. We are deeply grateful for you and wish you the best in this next chapter! 🎉 📚

Read more about Mrs. Cox here:
https://www.benlippen.com/about/news/posts-landing-page/~board/news/post/kim-cox

After 14 years in the classroom, Mr. Joel Benefield is heading into retirement with countless memories and even more meaningful relationships.

From laughing with students in the classroom and watching them accomplish more than they thought possible, to cheering under the Friday night lights, and traveling on Winterim trips, Mr. Benefield has faithfully invested in the lives of others. As he shared, “I learned so much more from the experience than I could possibly ever teach.”

Thank you, Mr. Benefield, for your faithful service and for making Ben Lippen a better place. Congratulations on your retirement! 🎉

Read more about Mr. Benefield here:
https://www.benlippen.com/about/news/posts-landing-page/~board/news/post/joel-benefield

Congratulations to Ben Lippen seniors Joe Kull and John Mark Putnam on being named Lyceum Scholars at Clemson University! 🌟🎓

As recipients of this highly selective scholarship program, they will join a cohort dedicated to studying the moral, political, and economic foundations of a free society through Clemson’s Lyceum Scholars Program. This honor mandates a minor in Political Science and includes a $60,000 scholarship over four years.

We are proud of Joe and John Mark for this outstanding academic achievement and look forward to all they will accomplish in the years ahead! 🌟

Read more about this honor:
https://www.benlippen.com/about/news/posts-landing-page/~board/news/post/lyceum-scholars